Motor meter



MOTOR METER Filed 001;. 25, 1926 A WWW til ime

at .i-

,1 that WILLIAM R. HFSLFWOOD, OF LOS ANGFLFS, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO FRIED A. DANA, OF 110% ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

MUTUR METER.

Application filed October 25, 192B. aerial lilo. 143.961.

This invention relates to improvements in motor meters and-more particularly to a device for use in connection with a water cooled, internal combustion, engine for indieating the temperature or the water.

The device or my invention is especially designed for employment upon automobiles and it'or installation in substitution for the ordinary cap at the filling opening of the radiator, where the device, as a whole, is best visible from the drivers seat and where the thermo-motive element, involved, may be most eli'ectivelylocated in the water cooling system.

Among the objects of my invention is to provide a device for indicating thetemperature of the engine, which device is of simple,

durable and inexpensive construction, and includes an indicia bearing element which is movable by thermostatic action and a tired index device, both of which are fully exposed, and uncovered, whereby maximum legibility is obtained and whereby fouling as in glass encased instruments, is prevented.

My improvements consist in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts as hereinafter fully, clearly and con cisely described, definitely pointed out in my claims, and illustrated by the accompanying drawing, (1 sheet) in which Fig. 1, is a vertical sectional elevation of a motor meter constructed in accordance with .my invention.

Fig. 2, is a rear elevation of the device, as viewed from the drivers seat, or observing point.

Fig. 8, is a sectional plan-view as taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4, is an enlarged sectional plan-view as taken on the line indicated 4L-d of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5, is an enlarged sectional. plan-view as taken on the line indicated 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Referring more specifically to the drawing 6 designates the supporting element for the device, as a whole, which is employed in substitution for the ordinary radiator cap, and to this end is provided with internal screw-threads, 7 for securement over the filling spout of a radiator. Centrally through the supporting element 6 there is termed a bore, or opening, 8 through which there is extended a barrel 9 which is fixed to the element 6 as by the external screwthreads 10 and retaining nuts 11 and 12.

Within the barrel 9 is a thermostatic element 13, which, as shown, and by preference, is constructed of two tapes, or ribbon-like metallic parts, which are relatively united; possess different co-expansive efliciencies and wound in a single length to form outer and inner helices, by which expedient there is ob tained maximum deflection in a minimum of space.

Extended through the innermost helix, or coil, is a stem 14k to which the end 15, of the inner helix, is secured as by the extension of the end through a slot, or hole 16, formed through the stem. Similarly the end 17 of the outer helix is secured to the barrel as by its entension through a hole 18 formed through the barrel.

At the ends of the barrel there are guides 19 and 20, both of which loosely lit the stem and whose sole function is to limit lateral or non-aligned movements or the stem relative to the barrel.

Carried by the stem and rotatable therewith is an indicia bearing element 21 and secured to the fixed barrel is an index 22.

lln order to adjustably set the indicia bearing element, relative to its thermostatically operated supporting stem, whereby compensation may be affected for uniform performance in varying climatic conditions, such for example as different altitudes, ll provide a carrier A for the indicia bearing element which may be rotated about the stem and held in selected position as by a set-screw 28, as best shown in Fig. 4.

By preference, and as shown, the recited carrier A consists of a base element, or socket 24: for an electric light bulb 25, a sleeve 26 secured to the socket as by a bayonet joint 27 and a cupshaped, preferably of inverted frusto-conical form, shade, or screening casing 28, for the light bulb.

its best shown in Fig. 1, the complete sc1'eencasing, or shade is sectional, that is comprises two cup-shaped parts of substantially identical configuration, whose contiguous margins form a holding means for the indicia bearing element and which casing elements are relatively secured as by the contractile coil springs 29.

By preference, and as shown the indicia bearing element 21 is formed as a translucent annulus, such as a ring of glass, having uniformly dimensioned sectors which are rendered relatively distinguishable as by colors. For example the sector a, which is normally next the index 22 is colored orange/ the next adjacent sectors 5 and 0 are colored green and the remote sector at, that is the one diametrically opposite thesector acolored red.

The index by preference; and as sl o iin, comprises a sleeve, 30, for fitment over the fixed barrel, enclosing the thermostatic el es ment, which sleeve is secured to the barrel, against rotation, as by a screwfil, and which carries, or supports, a substantially ringshaped element which serves as the index and a protectingv guard for }the ,indicia bearing element. As shown theindex and guard ele ment ma be aj tulgiform i-n, which the wires for the' hght bulb may be strung. H i

i For use-upon automobiles the proport -ipn ing of the lvari coloredsectors Ofthe indicator is such that the lengths of the sector a will cover the, range of temperature when the engine ,1s idle, the lengths of the sectors b and 0 cover normal temperatures, when: the engine lis running, and the length of the sector d provides a graded signal for the dam gerous, boiling. oroverheated engine con;- dition.

I claim:

1. A motor meter comprisingv a horizontally reifoluble and ,hollow member consist ing of se'parably secured sectionsand a trans lucent horizontal annulus,"having readily distinguishable sectors, an ,illuminant Within the hollow member, a thermostat, for revolving themember, a fixed vertically dis posed ring encircling said member constituting an index, and an elect rieal conductor earri' ed by ringand leading therefrom into said member at-the top and axially thereof and connecting with said illuminant. 2. In a motor meter, a hollow indicator consisting of a translucent horizontal annulus having reach y distinguishable sectors,

saidannul us having seats in ,its upper and lower sides respectively, concavo-conrex shells adapted to seatinsaidseats and thus to .co-operate witlrsaid annulusvto form a, hollow rotatab le body, and means for detachably holding saidshells in said seats,

3.; In motor niete rfa hollowindicator, consisting of; a, translucent ll Qlfl/Qlltzlll annulus having, readily distinguishable sectors, said annulus hailing se ats in its upper and lower sides respectively, ,concavomonyex shells adapted to seat in said seats, and thus, to eo-operate with said annulus to form :1 hollow rotatable body, and a tension spring within hollow body l'iaving o ne end secured to one of said shells and t-he other end to the other shell ormally to hold said shells seated said seats.

i l In testimony whereot I hare ZlfiQIQd my.

signature.

WILLIAM 13. nsnnwoon. 

